Submitted by Austin H, pasteurized processed mozzarella cheese product.

Because it would have been impractical (and too expensive, considering our measly allowances) to order real pizza for school lunch, Lunchables Pizzas became The Thing to bring (rhyme: intentional). Lunchables had an entire line of processed, pre-packaged, build-your-own lunches (the gelatinous deli meats with stale crackers, anyone?), but it was their pizza that was the coolest. I seem to recall they became something of a status symbol. Mmmmm…Can’t you just taste the cardboard-esque crust now?

Submitted by Katie, press “sea urchin” now to hear her speak:

Does anyone even remember these? They were basically “electronic storybooks”. You were supposed to read the book and whenever you came across a picture within the text, you had to press the button on the side panel that matched the picture to hear the sound it represented. Quite a few of them were put out by Disney. I think they make books with the same concept today, but the ones from the early 90’s were so much cooler.

Confession: I still sometimes play with these in the store. They combine my three favorite things: Pictures, sound clips, and button pressing.

Submitted by Stu S, who’s stuck in the ball pit:

You begged your parents to stop at McDonald’s during the annual cross-state road trip to Grandma’s house just so you could play in the Play Place, which was better than any Play Place near home. You’d meet that one special person in the ball bit, or at the top of the slide, or somewhere in the maze of tubes. At that moment in time, he or she became your very best friend. You two worked as a team and braved the tube maze or explored the depths of the ball pit. Usually, you’d get this person’s name, and it would be something uncommon, like Blake, Kip, or Ike. When your mom told you it was time to leave, you told your new best friend that you would go play at their house some time. The next day, you completely forgot about Blake (or Kip or Ike).

Submitted by Kimberly T, Project Runway finalist (season 3):

Fashion Plates were the Project Runway of the late 70s/80s. You would choose different fashion ideas from raised plates, place a piece of paper over it, and then rub with a special holder that held a piece of black crayon. You could then color your designs with the pencils included with the kit. There were endless combinations since the most plates were double-sided, and some plates had a pattern you could use to add texture. They also sold additional plates to use with the original kit (these plates were blue), and there were different versions, including updated contemporary fashions and even a New Kids on the Block version! I am not embarassed to say that I am in my 30s and still use my Fashion Plates. I break them out with my girls and give my inner fashionista a chance to shine!

Submitted by Chelsea V, gravity defier.

You know the deal: Build something big and colorful–a plastic technicolor maze–drop a marble in the top, and watch it find its way down. Like so many toys, this one is marketed as educational, on the basis, apparently, that it teaches kids about gravity. But, I mean, other than “the marble goes down,” I think it would be hard to argue that the lesson is an intense one. Still: Colorful creations with moving parts? Always a win.